Reinforced shelf filing folders

Abstract

A reinforced shelf filing folder having front and rear panel members connected along a fold line and a tab member connected to a first side edge of the rear panel member. Reinforcement is applied to both sides of the tab member and to the outer surface of the fold line extending onto the adjacent surfaces of the front nd rear panel members. Finally, additional reinforcement means is optionally applied to the outer surfaces of the front and rear panel members, disposed along a side portion of the rear panel member opposite the first side edge and over the fold line to a corresponding portion on the front panel member. Alternatively, the additional reinforcement can be applied to the outer and inner sides of the front panel member along the first side edge. These reinforcements increase the wear resistance and life of the folder.

We claim: 
     
       1. A reinforced shelf filing folder comprising: front and rear panel members each having first and second surfaces and side edges, said panel members joined along a fold line, and a tab member having first and second surfaces and extending along a first side edge of the rear panel member;   first reinforcing means applied to both the first and second surfaces of the tab member; and   second reinforcing means applied to the fold line and onto a portion of the adjacent first surfaces of the front and rear panel members;   wherein the first and second reinforcing means increase the wear resistance and useful life of the folder.   
     
     
       2. The shelf filing folder of claim 1 which further comprises third reinforcing means applied to the first surfaces of the front and rear panel members, the third reinforcing means being disposed along the first surface of the rear panel member adjacent a side edge opposite the first side edge and extending over the fold line onto the first surface of the front panel member. 
     
     
       3. The self filing folder of claim 2, wherein the first, second, and third reinforcing means do not overlap each other. 
     
     
       4. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, which further comprises an undercut edge extending along the first side edge of the rear panel member adjacent the tab member and over the fold line to the front panel member. 
     
     
       5. The shelf filing folder of claim 4, wherein the undercut edge is formed from an extension of the front panel member that is folded over onto itself to form flaps that are secured to each other with an adhesive. 
     
     
       6. The shelf filing folder of claim 4, wherein the undercut edge forms ramp means to facilitate removal of the folder from a shelf. 
     
     
       7. The shelf filing folder of claim 6, wherein the ramp means has an arcuate shape which tapers from the fold line to the first side edge of the front and rear panel members. 
     
     
       8. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, wherein the second reinforcing means extends to a second side edge of the front and rear panel members, and does not overlap the first reinforcing means. 
     
     
       9. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, further comprising third reinforcing means applied to the first and second surfaces of the front panel member along the first side edge. 
     
     
       10. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, wherein one of the front or rear panel member has a linear depression which provides a crease line for forming at least one additional fold line to allow for expansion of the folder. 
     
     
       11. The shelf filing folder of claim 10 wherein each of the front and rear panel members has a linear depression to provide two crease lines for expanding the folder, the crease lines being connected by a base portion, wherein the second reinforcement means extends beyond each crease line and the base portion. 
     
     
       12. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, wherein the tab member is formed from an extension of the front panel member that is folded over onto itself to form flaps that are secured to each other with an adhesive. 
     
     
       13. The shelf filing folder of claim 1, wherein the first and second reinforcing means each comprise a plastic film or a paper or cardboard strip secured to the folder, or a polymer adhered to the folder. 
     
     
       14. The shelf filing folder of claim 13 wherein the paper or cardboard strip includes a coating to improve its resistance to oils or moisture. 
     
     
       15. A reinforced shelf filing folder comprising: front and rear panel members each having first and second surfaces and side edges, said panel members joined along a fold line, and a tab member having first and second surfaces and extending along a first side edge of the rear panel member;   first reinforcing means applied to both the first and second surfaces of the tab member;   second reinforcing means applied to the fold line and onto a portion of the adjacent first surfaces of the front and rear panel members; and   third reinforcing means applied to the first surfaces of the front and rear panel members, the third reinforcing means being disposed along the first surface of the rear panel member adjacent a side edge opposite the first side edge and extending over the fold line onto the first surface of the front panel member;   wherein each of the first, second and third reinforcing means comprises a plastic film which is attached to the folder to increase the wear resistance and useful life of the folder.   
     
     
       16. The self filing folder of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third reinforcing means do not overlap each other. 
     
     
       17. The shelf filing folder of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first, second and third reinforcing means imparts a color to the folder. 
     
     
       18. The shelf filing folder of claim 15, wherein each of the first, second and third reinforcing means is of a different color. 
     
     
       19. The shelf filing folder of claim 15, which further comprises an undercut edge extending along the first side edge of the rear panel member adjacent the tab member and over the fold line to the front panel member. 
     
     
       20. The shelf filing folder of claim 19, wherein the undercut edge is formed from an extension of the front panel member that is folded over onto itself to form flaps that are secured to each other with an adhesive. 
     
     
       21. The shelf filing folder of claim 15, wherein one of the front or rear panel member has a linear depression which provides a crease line for forming at least one additional fold line to allow for expansion of the folder. 
     
     
       22. The shelf filing folder of claim 15, wherein each of the front and rear panel members has a linear depression to provide two crease lines for expanding the folder, the crease lines being connected by a base portion, wherein the second reinforcement means extends beyond each crease line and the base portion. 
     
     
       23. A reinforced shelf filing folder comprising: front and rear panel members each having first and second surfaces and side edges, said panel members joined along a fold line, and a tab member having first and second surfaces and extending along a first side edge of the rear panel member;   first reinforcing means applied to both the first and second surfaces of the tab member;   second reinforcing means applied to the fold line and onto a portion of the adjacent first surfaces of the front and rear panel members; and   an undercut edge extending along the first side edge of the rear panel member adjacent the tab member and over the fold line to the front panel member, the undercut edge forming ramp means to facilitate removal of the folder from a shelf;   wherein each of the first and second reinforcing means comprises a plastic film which is attached to the folder to increase the wear resistance and useful life of the folder.   
     
     
       24. The shelf filing folder of claim 23, wherein the ramp means has an arcuate shape which tapers from the fold line to the first side edge of the front and rear panel members. 
     
     
       25. The shelf filing folder of claim 24, wherein the second reinforcing means extends to a second side edge of the front and rear panel members, and does not overlap the first reinforcing means. 
     
     
       26. The shelf filing folder of claim 25, further comprising third reinforcing means applied to the outer and inner sides of the front panel member along the first side edge, wherein the third reinforcing means comprises a plastic strip which is attached to the folder. 
     
     
       27. The shelf filing folder of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first, second and third reinforcing means imparts a color to the folder. 
     
     
       28. The shelf filing folder of claim 26, wherein each of the first, second and third reinforcing means is of a different color. 
     
     
       29. The shelf filing folder of claim 23, wherein one of the front or rear panel member has a linear depression which provides a crease line for forming at least one additional fold line to allow for expansion of the folder. 
     
     
       30. The shelf filing folder of claim 23, wherein each of the front and rear panel members has a linear depression to provide two crease lines for expanding the folder, the crease lines being connected by a base portion, wherein the second reinforcement means extends beyond each crease line and the base portion.